Let's Shout About It!
Edited by Alan Carter
Published Q.Q. Press (COLLECTIONS),
86pp, paperback, £6.00
ISBN 1-903203-023

When I was asked to review this anthology of poetry & prose written by those who have been affected by abuse and/or self-harm - either directly or by someone close to them having been affected - I was a little apprehensive. However laudable the aims of the publication, would it stand up to a critical consideration?

As far as the quality is concerned, I was pleasantly surprised. As far as the content is concerned I was variously saddened, horrified and disgusted.

The editor, Alan Carter, makes the point that this book was not a joy to compile: reading the contributions and the letters which accompanied them was often painful, at times heart-breaking. The resulting book is certainly not a joy to read, but it is rewarding.

Over fifty writers are represented, some by a single text in prose or a short poem, others by a collection of poems. Not all have felt ready to sign their names to the work, and so pen-names have been used and Anon represents ten different writers.

As with most collections, the quality of writing varies. There are contributors who obviously had much to say on the subject of abuse and self-harm without, perhaps, the necessary skill or objectivity to say it well. Others make their point with technical skill. There are very few pieces, if any, which seem to have been written without involvement. That is the underlying message that comes across as you read: these people are involved. Even so, if the collection were no more than well-intentioned it would have little to recommend it. In fact, there are many good poems here, and even those which are written from too subjective a viewpoint to be considered 'good poetry' offer something to the reader.

It is difficult to comment about an anthology which contains so many different styles of writing. I'm not sure that I can do better than simply to quote a few lines which have stuck in my mind:

The malice of the weak is fearful; /... /..., more insidious / than the rancour of the strong. / Their revenge more terrible. (Father to the Man, Ray Stebbing)

I'd ring a bell if I had one; / Instead I bath a lot (Remembering Abuse, Jane Kondou)

... the hide-and-secrets grow in the dark, (Poison Star, Lesley Quayle)

We Should All Be Born Orphans, Then Sterilised (poem title, Sam Smith)

As these quotes suggest, there is much in the book which is distasteful - some would label parts obscene - but it has been said that any subject is fit material for a poet, and surely it is the world in which people are abused physically, emotionally and sexually that is obscene, not the attempt to write about such things.

Alan Carter has twenty years experience of working with children in residential care. Now, in his capacity as publisher he is attempting to give a voice to the many victims he has come across who might otherwise remain unheard.

The format of the book - an 86 page A5 pamphlet - is unpretentious, the price £6.00, not unreasonable, especially considering that many of the contributors have waived their fees in order that donations may be made to groups working in the often related fields of abuse and self harm if there is a profit.

For further purchasing details, please see advert on the small ads page.